What happened
On May 2, 2015, a Zenair STOL CH 701 microlight, registration VT-USO, was involved in a fatal accident at the Begurkoli grass strip in the Coorg district. The flight, which began as a cross-country trip from Jakkur Aerodrome, Bengaluru, included a local joyride over the Brahmagiri Hills with one passenger on board.
After completing the local sortie, the pilot attempted a straight-in approach to the grass strip. The aircraft experienced a delayed touchdown, occupying roughly three-quarters of the runway length and failing to stop before the end of the strip. In an attempt to recover, the pilot initiated a go-around by applying power and lifting the nose. During this climb, the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 40 to 50 feet before suddenly losing lift and stalling. The aircraft turned left and impacted the ground on its nose. The pilot sustained fatal injuries and passed away the following day, while the passenger suffered serious injuries.
The investigation
An AAIB India inquiry established several critical irregularities regarding the aircraft's configuration and the post-accident response. Investigators found that the aircraft's original fixed leading-edge slats had been removed and replaced with small vortex generators. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the accident was not reported to the AAIB or DGCA by the operator; authorities only became aware of the event through media reports.
Additionally, the investigation noted that the wreckage had been moved to a temporary hangar and dismantled—including the removal of the wings and tail—before investigators could examine the site, which compromised the ability to establish the continuity of the control surfaces.